GUMImage credit: Jamie Terry
After dropping a double single a year ago, the dream team of Jay Watson AKA GUM (Pond, Tame Impala) and Ambrose Kenny-Smith (King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, The Murlocs) are back - this time with a solitary single in hand but, very excitingly, have also announced a full album, set to be the first release on King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard’s New Label, p(doom) records.
The single is also the title track of the forthcoming album - Ill Times, and it’s a funky slice of fuzzed out psych goodness, opening with a bouncy synth bass and distorted guitar lead, before some big drums (those fills tho!) enter the mix. Stripping things back for the verses, Ambrose’s warbly vocals cut through before everything kicks back in for the tasty choruses.
The single comes alongside a nostalgic music video, shot on what appears to be super 8 or similar, and features GUM and Ambrose strolling through the inner city streets of Melbourne, possibly pursuing each other before reuniting for a big old hug.
It seems fitting that their debut album will be the debut record on King Gizz’s new label, with the band saying they started the label “to put out our own records and our friends' too. If you all keep listening to ’em, we’ll keep making ’em.” Yes please to all of that!
With the album out in July, enjoy some Ill Times:
GUM & Ambrose Kenny-Smith's new album Ill Times is out July 19 via p(doom) records
